Change Your Mind

By: Jake Schrimsher

Changing how you think is one of the hardest things that you can possibly do, but if you're a sinner it's necessary. Sin corrupts the mind and changes how someone should think.

In Psalm 51:10 David said to God, "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." Because he was in sin, realized that he was in sin, and wanted to do something about it.

What do we need to do when we are in sin? Change our minds.

Sister Hazel has a song called "Change Your Mind" and in the chorus it says,

"If you want to be somebody else, If you're tired of fighting battles with yourself, If you want to be somebody else change your mind."

If you're trying to leave sin in it's tracks and never turn around and go back, change your mind.

Well, that's easy to say, but let's look at how we can change our minds.

1. We have to want to change our minds

If we aren't 100% dedicated, we can't do it.

This is so difficult. I've been striving to do this for a while now and it still seems impossible, but it's not.

I'm here to tell you, if we set our minds to something it can be accomplished.

How did you learn how to play the instrument you play, how to swim, or how to do anything that you do? You set your mind to it.

So, want to change your mind.

2. Get help.

There are a lot of things in this world that require help from another person and it just so happens that this is one of them.

How can someone else help you do this?

Ask them to text or call you on a regular basis to encourage you do continue striving. I recommend that it include a daily bible verse.

That will get you thinking. It will keep you focused on what's important and keep your mind where it needs to be.

3. Pray about it.

A persons most difficult problems can be solved by talking to their heavenly Father.

It's something that you can't live without. If you could live without it, I don't think that God would have made it possible, but he did!

Proverbs 3:5 says, "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."

Don't think that you can do it without God. Because you can't.

God is an essential part in changing your mind and if you don't include him, your mind will not be changed.

Pour out your whole mind to God. He wants you to tell him everything. He is all knowing, but he wants you to go to him with your problems.

4. Read God's word.

Open up your bible everyday and read at least one chapter.

Don't just read it, but think about what it means. If you can't figure out what it means ask one of your brothers or sisters in Christ.

1 Chronicles 16:11 says,

"Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always."

Always seek him.

5. Get rid of things.

There are things everywhere that cause us to stumble and the best thing for us to do is try to get rid of all of them.

Anything that's holding you back from a strong relationship with God, get rid of it.

There's no reason to keep it in your life if it's holding you apart from God.

If you have a problem, CHANGE YOUR MIND!

New Shoes

By: Paige Almond

Ok so yesterday I got these really cute shoes! They were half off at Payless and look super cute with my new outfit! I love to wear them ALL the time and show them off to everybody! They fit perfectly on my feet and are very comfortable!

Wouldn't it be awesome if we as Christians felt this way about God!? If we always wanted to talk about Him and show Him off to the world. If we got excited to worship Him and grow deeper into His word. If we felt comfortable talking about Him and sharing the Good News. Girls if you are getting more excited about a new pair of shoes than you are about Jesus Christ being the Savior of your life then you have your priorities mixed up. 

Mark 12:30 says, "And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength." We should love God with all that we have. We should put all of our effort into loving Him and proclaiming Him to everyone. As much as we long for new shoes and are excited about them we need to be even more alive and excited for God!! Because of Jesus Christ we have hope of an eternal life in Heaven. I personally would prefer that to a pair of shoes! 

1 Thessalonians 5:19 says "Do not quench the Spirit." Girls, we need to be on fire for God and always thirsting and seeking for His righteousness and Godliness. Always seek God and strive to live for Him in all that you do!

The song "I love to tell the story" says I love to tell the story of unseen things above, of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love; I love to tell the story because I know 'tis true; it satisfies my longings as nothing else can do. I love to tell the story, for those who know it best seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest; and when in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song, 'twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long. I LOVE TO TELL THE STORY!! Girls, it is our job as Christians to proclaim the Good News to all the world (Mark 16:15). Speak about Jesus to others and also show Him through your actions and words so that others may be drawn closer to Him through you! 

So the next time you are telling a friend about some new shoes, also talk to them about Jesus, your Savior. Don't be afraid to tell the story! I pray that you girls may be drawn closer to the Father and grow daily in His wisdom and love. If you are ever struggling, lift your burdens up to Him and take refuge in His love and power.

With all my love through Him,
Paige Almond

A Christian Boy’s Perspective On Modesty

By: Dillon Mansel


What is modesty? The modern day Webster’s dictionary defines modesty as: “1. freedom from conceit or vanity 2. Propriety (Propriety means socially acceptable) in dress, speech, or conduct.” But Webster’s original dictionary had this to say; “3. Moderation; decency. 4. In females, modesty has the like character as in males; but the word is used also as synonymous with chastity, or purity of manners. In this sense, modesty results from purity of mind, or from the fear of disgrace and ignominy fortified by education and principle. Unaffected modesty is the sweetest charm of female excellence, the richest gem in the diadem of their honor.” (Emphasis and parenthetical item added)

Now, clearly, the definition of modesty has changed in some ways or rather it has degraded over time. But it has in some ways stayed the same. But let’s think about the Bible’s definition of modesty for a moment… 1st Timothy 2:9-10 says, 

“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works”

Let’s think about the things mentioned above… Paul admonishes here that women should dress modestly. He mentioned fancy hair, jewelry and expensive clothes. Why? Because these things are distracting. Could you imagine a girl who always wore Chanel or Prada to services? Wouldn’t that be distracting? Wouldn’t that be… showy..? People wouldn’t be able to focus on worshiping our Father if someone like her was around. 

Now, when you are showing cleavage, wearing tight tops or jeans, short skirts… guess what? YOU ARE BEING SHOWY. If you’re showing off your body are you doing something that becomes a Godly woman? I don’t think so.

Consider the opening chapter of Esther…

Esther 1:9-12 “Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus. On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on. But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.” 

Vashti, who we can tell was a beautiful woman, clearly didn’t want to be immodest. Even though it went against the king’s (her husband) command.

Let’s look at some more scripture… The book of Proverbs is a wonderful and practical book of wisdom collected by King Solomon. The last chapter of this book is a wonderful exhortation from a mother to her son. It closes with an acrostic poem about A Virtuous Woman. 


Proverbs 31:10-31 “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.”

Now, think about this woman. Does she sound like a woman who dresses provocatively? Does she sound like someone who is boastful or showy? 

These passages that we’ve noticed are very important and straight forward. These should be the standards by which Christian guys measure girls. Do you meet up to these standards? Or are you the girl that the king’s momma would tell him to stay away from?

When it comes to modesty, it’s not just an outward thing, its inward. Modesty is more than clothes, it’s in your head. Do you WANT to be modest? Consider this: Jesus said in Matthew 5:27-28
“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”

It is pretty plain that looking at a girl and thinking sexually about her is a SIN. When you wear tight clothes or show skin, you are leaving no mystery. It’s not that far of a stretch to imagine a girl naked when she is wearing clothes that display every inch of her body. Now, remember what Jesus said… do you want to be responsible for some poor boy’s soul being lost in Hell? Or do you want to do everything possible to help him and other boys out?

The fact of the matter is, if you are a Christian, you are above being immodest. What does Romans 12:1-2 say? 
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Now, let’s look at three things about modesty. These things are what I call “the ends of the deal.”
Have you ever heard someone say “I’ll keep my end of the deal” or “You haven’t kept your end of our deal?” I believe that there are three ends of the deal when it comes to modesty. These three things go together and benefit from each other but they are not conditional. You must keep your end of the deal no matter what. The three ends are:

1. The Parent’s end of the deal. Christian parents should want their daughters (and even their sons) to be modest! Parents, encourage your kids to be modest! It’s a wonderful thing. It is to be respected! The Bible says to; “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6


2. The Girl’s end of the deal. Girls, just because you weren’t taught by momma and daddy to be modest doesn’t give you an excuse. If you are taught, then you STILL have no excuse. Your part of the deal is simple: ask yourself, “Will this cause a boy to lust after me? Will this cause my brother in Christ to stumble??” these are powerful questions. I encourage you to study 1st Corinthians 8.


3. The Guy’s end of the deal. This part is extremely important and guys need to understand that. Christian guys should encourage Christian girls to be modest and pure. And one of the best ways they can do this is by example. Ladies, do you want to marry a Christian? Someone who will help you get to heaven? What kind of Christian guy would I be if I encouraged immodest and immoral behavior? Guys need to uphold the purity of their Sisters. I’m appalled at any “man” who doesn’t encourage modesty and purity.

This letter was written out of pure love and concern for the young people of the Church. I encourage any girls reading this to be honest with themselves… examine your mindset AND your wardrobe. Guys, I encourage you to man up and uphold these girls! Make sure they know that you want nothing to do with a girl who says she’s a Christian and dresses immodestly! And parents, love your children… cherish them. Teach them that purity and modesty, and God’s standard for them, is of the highest importance. 

It is not just the salvation of others that’s at stake… it is yours too.

Life Is A Road Traveled By All

By: Jake Schrimsher


In life we do a lot of driving. It's how we get from place to place on a day to day basis, but sometimes we lose sight of where we are and have to either look up directions or stop and ask someone.

I'm reminded of this particular time when me and a couple friends of mine were headed to Chickasaw State Park for a retreat. We used my iPhone for directions. I typed in the address to Chickasaw and we began the trip. It took us to all the wrong places. So, I looked at where it was originally taking us to a state park an hour and a half north of Chickasaw.

In our Christian life, if we do not use the correct source of direction we will end up in the wrong place.

Psalm 119:105 says, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."

God's word in all things should be our guide map. We should turn to it, not only when we are lost and look at how to get back on track, but in our everyday lives to keep us on the right track. So, that we won't get lost.

I encourage you to turn to God's word in all things. Not only when you realize that you are lost, but even when you know you're on the right path.

Another time comes to mind when I got lost (I don't get lost very often, by the way). Me and one of my friends were on our way to another friend's house and I'd never gone the route that we decided to take, but I had been with someone else when they were driving. So, I decided to try to drive by memory (bad idea). I think that we turned around at least 5 times before I turned to my ever famous iPhone for directions. Once, we arrived I was happy.

The point of this article is to show you how easy it is to become lost and be taken on detours and places that we shouldn't be and that if we don't use our map (the Bible) in our daily walk with Christ we won't stay on the right track.

So, stay away from life's detours (sin) and stick to God's word and let it guide you through every step of the way and never take a step without talking to God you'll be successful.

Much love, Jake.